Prominent Nigerians including governors, traditional rulers, businessmen and top government functionaries have applauded Zainab Marwa for breaking new frontiers through her book, “101 Nigerian Women Of Impact.”
Among those who spoke at the launch of the book in Abuja yesterday were president-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed, Borno State governor Babagana Zulum, presidential media aide, Mr Femi Adesina and the author’s father, Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa.
Tinubu, who was represented by the national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Betta Edu, said the book is a celebration of Nigerian women and all their achievements.
Adesina, who was the book reviewer and the special assistant to the president on media and publicity, said the book is made of 254 pages with a focus of 101 outstanding women between 2015 and 2023.
Also, Zulum, who celebrated the author, said women are breaking barriers in leadership and productivity.
The governor, who served as the chairman of the occasion, said, “We are here to highlight the incredible achievements of women and the value they bring to the table when properly supported by our system.
We are here to draw the attention of the nation to expanding the scope of possibilities with women in different areas when we provide the environment for them to thrive.
“Knowing the strength of our women and taking full advantage of their contributions would help us as a society to accelerate our pace of growth and development.
“Women no longer belong in the background because they are now taking the forefront in breaking barriers in leadership and productivity, while recognising the challenges that women face, this inspiring narratives about these selected women should serve as a turning point for us to start opening a new vista of possibility that would allow men to contribute maximally to the growth of our nation.”
Brig-Gen Marwa, who is the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the father of the author, said, “Barrister Zainab’s emergence as an author and the subject matter of her book wouldn’t come as a surprise to many. Writing a book, and the kind of book she wrote, is in fact a cumulation of her background, upbringing, education, and passion.
“She is from a family of authors. As her father, I have written a number of books, albeit in areas related to my career, which is the military. My first son, Abubakar, has written a book, several short stories and movie scripts. Then, my second son, Lt. Col. Mohamed Marwa has also written three books. However, book writing as an art or profession is not hereditary because, aside from having the literary skill for the art, having the passion to write is a big factor.”
On the book, Marwa said, “I am delighted that she has written a book on a subject that has currency for our current world and its future. Our world still remains largely a man’s world. The list of achievers still remains largely male in business, entertainment, sports, and what have you. But in truth, a critical assessment of the state of the world today will lay bare the truth that women, and indeed, more women, are standing tall and doing exploits like their male counterparts in different areas of human endeavour.”
One of the outstanding women captured in the book, Ginika Tor, said it is quite inspiring for her, adding that the recognition will compel her to do more.
The author, Zainab Marwa, who spoke on the process of writing the book, said it took her years to gather the material and the stories about all the 101 women captured in the book.
